Pima County Deputy Honored For Nabbing Serial Robber

Deputy Christopher Francis is recognized as the Operations Bureau, Patrol Division Deputy of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of 2017.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is recognizing “an outstanding member” of the department: Deputy Christopher Francis.

According to the Sheriff’s Department:

Beginning in early October 2017 the Foothills District experienced a rash of burglaries at the Circle K store located at 2080 West Ruthrauff. The suspect would enter the store wearing a batman mask, walk behind the counter and steal cigarettes. From October through December the same suspect committed ten burglaries at the store.

Deputy Christopher Francis investigated several of these cases and was familiar with the suspect’s description and modus operandi. Catching the suspect became a priority for him. Deputy Francis began surveilling the store and making frequent checks during periods of low call activity.

On 12/24/17, Deputy Francis was driving eastbound on Ruthrauff when he observed a subject who matched the description of the suspect enter the store. The suspect was wearing a hoodie and had the hood pulled up over his head. Deputy Francis watched the suspect enter the store and rapidly walk behind the counter. He quickly notified other deputies of a possible theft in progress and immediately responded to the store. Being familiar with previous cases, Deputy Francis knew the suspect would be fleeing from the store very soon. Deputy Francis determined he would need to engage the suspect before he fled from the store and before back-up units could arrive. When deputies arrived, they found Deputy Francis in the store with the suspect prone on the ground. Deputy Francis’s tenacity in following up with this serial burglar resulted in the arrest of the suspect and the closure of ten cases.

For his exemplary dedication to duty, the community and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Christopher Francis is recognized as the Operations Bureau, Patrol Division Deputy of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of 2017.

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